The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-07-23
THE PACIFIC ROADS.

for the bill under which a government
commission is now investigating the
affairs OF the Pacific railways knew
what they wanted to do, and what they
hoped to accomplish. At least we hope
they knew, and if their object or pur-
pose is a proper and reasonable one' we
trust they will be successful. But what
all wish most is that the government
would adjust its dispute with the subsi-
died roads, in one way or another, and
permit the companies to enj ~ little
peace aud to know where they stand,
what they own, what they may expect,
and so on.
One of the wisest acts of statesman
ship of an American Congress was the
substituting of the Pacific railroads. 1t
was craftsmanship in the political sense
of the word, and was the wisest econ
omy. The completion of the first trans
continental line united the east and the
west politically as they had never been
united, and never could have been
united without a railway connect
ing them geographically. Finan-
cially it was the best investment
the United States government ever
made. If the nation had given to these
railroads ten times the subsidy which
was conveyed. every dollar would have
been returned ten times over in the in
creased value which the railroad gave to
the national estate.
At the outset government was wise
and generous. 1t performed its part
handsomely, but ever since its mean
ness has been monumental. The line
had not been completed before it had to
defend itself against assaults by Con-
gress, aud the warfare has been con-
tinuous and bitter to the present time.
We do not remember a single session
of Congress when the Union and Central
Pacific Companies were not the victims
of attack, and many of the assaults
we're without reason or semblance of
Justice. being the work of demagogues
and fellows who were endesvoring to
build up a reputation for honesty by
charging that others were dishonest.
After these twenty years of in
cessant attack and defense, what
has been achieved on the part
of government? Absolutely nothing
1t has not fastened the payment by the
roads of their debt; it has not brought
single scoUndrel to justice; it has not
even made it absolutely plain that there
have been sc0undrels and thieves in the
management of the roads. The govern
ment has waged severe and senseless
war, and it bids fair to prove result
less war. 1t is possible the present in
quiry may develop something and
recommend something which Will en-
able Congress to act intelligently in the
future, but this is doubted. We appre-
bend that it:lwill be the same old bust
ness, only enlarged somewhat and
given greater importance, but without
actual results. A plan for the pay
ment of the debt may be proposed and
adopted by Congress, but if the COM
panies cannot comply, as they have
been unable to do on other occasions,
what is government going to do about
it? ,till it perpetrate the oft-threat-
ened blunder of taking the roads for the
debt, thus relieving the companies of
what they would be only too glad to get
rid Of at these terms7 Or will it go on
ANNOYING and proposing, humbugging
and growing, as it has been doing for
twenty years? 1t will probably continue
on the old line, which gives plug poll
tcians and scrub statesmen 8 standing
opportunity to pose as great and
honest men devoted to watching the
national treasure.
Meantime, this constant assault is
having pad effect on the country west
of the Missouri River. Nebraska
Colorado. Wyoming, Utah, Nevada
and California have to suffer because OF
governments quarrel with the rail-
roads. Development and progress are
retarded, and Improvement is delayed
pending an adjustment" which never
comes. There is reason to believe that
if the Union Pacific were not hampered
by the government, it would at once
help Itself and the, country tributary to
1t; but instead of going ahead as good
business judgment would suggest. il is
held in check by qusrrels and threats
and bss to devote itself to its defense
against government attacks. President
Adams told the truth the other day
when he said that for four months
he had not been running q railroad
but bad been supplying information
TO government commission. Several
branch lines. as feeders to the Union
Pacific, are contemplated. One of these
would be OF most material benefit to